Edgelit lighting system

ABSTRACT

A lighting system can include a lightguide having an edge and two major surfaces. The lightguide can be mounted in a frame so that one of the major surfaces faces towards an area to be illuminated, while the other major surface faces away from the area. LEDs can couple light into the lightguide edge, with the coupled light emitting from both major surfaces. Light emitted from the major surface that faces away from the area to be illuminated can be reflected back into the lightguide by a reflective surface. The reflective surface can be separated from the lightguide by an air gap. The air gap can promote internal reflection at the major surface facing away from the area to be illuminated, thereby enhancing homogeneity and output of light towards the area to be illuminated. The frame can include integral wireways, reflector retention clips, and grounding circuitry.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of and claims priority toU.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/607,207, filed May26, 2017, and titled “Edgelit Multi-Panel Lighting System,” which is acontinuation application of and claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 13/832,095, filed Mar. 15, 2013, and titled“Edgelit Multi-Panel Lighting System,” which issued as U.S. Pat. No.9,666,744 on May 30, 2017. The entire contents of the foregoingapplication and patent are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments described herein generally relate to lighting fixtures and,more particularly, to systems involving multiple edgelit lightguides.

BACKGROUND

With greater adoption of Light Emitting Diode (LED) light sources, newlighting systems have begun incorporating alternative means for casting,distributing, and reflecting light. While edgelit lighting systems aredesirable for many applications, improved technologies are needed inorder for edgelit systems to meet their full potential. Need is apparentfor improvement in the fixtures that mount and provide power and otherfacilities for edgelit lighting systems. For example, need exists forimproved wire management technology. As another example, need exists forimproved mounting technologies for lightguides and associatedreflectors. In this representative context, embodiments described hereinrelate to lighting systems, including edgelit systems involving edgelitlightguides.

SUMMARY

A lighting system can comprise at least two lightguides that eachreceives, guides, and distributes light. In certain embodiments, eachlightguide can comprise a slab, plate, sheet, panel, or other piece ofoptical material that in outline may be rectangular, square, circular,triangular, or some other appropriate shape or geometric form. The pieceof optical material can be flat, slightly curved, or have anotherappropriate profile or geometry. The lightguides can be mounted in aframe. A light source can couple light into one or more edges of thelightguides. The coupled light can propagate in the lightguides and emitfrom major surfaces of the lightguides, thereby distributing andspreading the light. In a typical application, one of the major surfacesof each lightguide faces away from an area to be illuminated, while theother major surface faces towards the area to be illuminated. Lightemitted from the major surface that faces away from the area to beilluminated can be redirected towards the area to be illuminated by areflective surface positioned next to that major surface. The reflectivesurface, which can be diffusely reflective, specularly reflective, or acombination of specularly and diffusely reflective, can be spacedslightly away from the lightguide. The space between the lightguide andthe reflective surface can provide an air gap. The air gap can promoteinternal reflection at the major surface facing away from the area to beilluminated and further can enhance light uniformity or homogeneity inthe area to be illuminated. Promoting internal reflection on the majorsurface facing away from the area to be illuminated can reduce theamount of light that emits from the lightguide in the “wrong” directionand needs to be redirected towards the area to be illuminated. The framecan comprise one or more channels for distributing or carryingelectrical lines for supplying electrical power. The channels, which canfunction as wireways, can be integral with the frame, for example formedduring molding or other appropriate frame fabrication process.

The foregoing discussion of lighting systems is for illustrativepurposes only. Various aspects of the present technology may be moreclearly understood and appreciated from a review of the followingdetailed description of the disclosed embodiments and by reference tothe drawings and the claims that follow. Moreover, other aspects,systems, methods, features, advantages, and objects will become apparentto one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawingsand detailed description. It is intended that all such aspects, systems,methods, features, advantages, and objects are to be included withinthis description, are to be within the scope of the present technology,and are to be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Reference will be made below to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1A and 1B (collectively FIG. 1) illustrate a lighting systemaccording to some example embodiments. FIG. 1A illustrates a perspectiveview of the lighting system as assembled, while FIG. 1B illustrates aninternal side of an endplate of the lighting system.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C (collectively FIG. 2) illustrate additionalinternal features of the lighting system illustrated in FIG. 1 accordingto some example embodiments. FIG. 2A illustrates internal portions ofthe lighting system, provided by removing an endplate of the lightingsystem to expose internal features. FIG. 2B illustrates an expanded viewof the left-hand side of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective viewof the lighting system from an overhead vantage point that showsinternal features of the lighting system.

FIG. 3 illustrates another internal view of the lighting systemillustrated in FIG. 1 according to some example embodiments. For theview of FIG. 3, the lighting system is cut between the two endplates(with only one endplate shown, in cross section), and the result isshown in perspective.

FIG. 4 illustrates another internal view of the lighting systemillustrated in FIG. 1 according to some example embodiments. FIG. 4 issimilar to FIG. 2B, but depicting separation between a lightguide and areflector of the lighting system to enhance illumination output in adesired direction.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F and 5G (collectively FIG. 5) illustrate areflector of the lighting system illustrated in FIG. 1 according to someexample embodiments. FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view. FIGS. 5B,5C, and 5D illustrate orthogonal views. FIG. 5E illustrates a detailview. FIGS. 5F and 5G illustrate cross sectional views taken in thedetail view of FIG. 5E.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, and 6G (collectively FIG. 6) illustrate anendplate of the lighting system illustrated in FIG. 1 according to someexample embodiments. FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view. FIGS. 6B,6C, 6D, and 6E illustrate orthogonal views. FIG. 6F illustrates a detailview. FIG. 6G illustrates a cross sectional view taken in the detailview of FIG. 6F.

FIG. 7 illustrates packaging for the lighting system illustrated in FIG.1 according to some example embodiments.

Many aspects of the technology can be better understood with referenceto these drawings. The elements and features shown in the drawings arenot necessarily drawn to scale, emphasis instead being placed uponclearly illustrating the principles of exemplary embodiments of thepresent technology. Moreover, certain dimensions may be exaggerated tohelp visually convey such principles. In the drawings, referencenumerals designate like or corresponding, but not necessarily identical,elements throughout the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

A lighting system can comprise a light source and an element thatreceives, transmits, and emits light produced by the light source. Incertain embodiments, the light source comprises one or more lightemitting diodes. In certain embodiments, the element that receives,transmits, and emits light comprises a lightguide. The lightguide mayhave a generally planar format as may be provided with a slab, plate,sheet, or panel of optical material, for example. A frame may positionsuch light emitting diodes beside an edge of the lightguide, and thelightguide may emit light in a beneficial direction as well as in anopposing direction. A reflective element positioned at a standoffdistance from the lightguide may redirect the light that is emitted inthe opposing direction, causing it to head in the beneficial direction.An air gap associated with the standoff distance may reduce the amountof light that the lightguide emits in the opposing direction, so thatless light needs redirection. The air gap can further enhancehomogeneity of the lightguide as viewed by someone in an illuminatedarea, for example avoiding a spotted or wetted appearance. In certainembodiments, the frame may have one or more built-in channels that serveas wireways for routing wires that supply electrical power to thelighting system.

The present technology can be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the technologyto those having ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, all “examples”or “exemplary embodiments” given herein are intended to be non-limitingand among others supported by representations of the present technology.

Turning now to the figures, a lighting system 10 according to someexample embodiments is illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 1A provides aperspective view. FIG. 1B shows an internal side of an endplate 12 ofthe lighting system 10 along with representative adjoining elements.

As illustrated, the example lighting system 10 comprises two lightguides200, each with an associated reflector 300, that are held in position bya frame 100. The frame 100 comprises two endplates 12, with a wirewaybracket 17 and a reflector clamp bracket 19 extending between the twoendplates 12. In additional to its structural role, the wireway bracket17 provides a wireway for electrical supply lines. In addition to itsstructural role, the reflector clamp bracket 19 pulls heat associatedwith the lighting system 10 generating light and dissipates the heat.

A respective line of light emitting diodes 222 extends along an edge 250of each of the two lightguides 200. In some embodiments, reflective tapeis applied to edges of each lightguide that do not have adjacent lightemitting diodes 222. Light emitting diodes 222 provide an example of alight source; however, in some embodiments, other appropriate lightsources may be substituted. The light emitting diodes 222 emit lightinto the lightguides 200, and the light propagates in the twolightguides 200 guided by total internal reflection between two majorsurfaces 281, 282 of the lightguides 200. While light that is emittedinto the lightguides 200 at relatively shallow angles undergoes totalinternal reflection, light at steeper angles spills through the majorsurfaces 281, 282.

The major surfaces 281 of the two lightguides 200 are oriented by theframe 100 for illuminating an area to be illuminated, while the majorsurfaces 282 are oriented away from the area to be illuminated. Thus,when the lighting system 10 is installed, light emitting through themajor surfaces 281 provides beneficial illumination, while lightemitting through the major surfaces 282 is in the opposite direction forproviding beneficial illumination. The reflectors 300 redirect the lightthat is headed in the wrong direction so that the redirected light canprovide beneficial illumination.

The lighting system 10 may be installed above or otherwise adjacent anarea to be illuminated. The installation may involve replacement of oneor more drop-in panels of a suspended ceiling, recess in ceiling or awall, or mounting to a surface of a wall or ceiling or other appropriatestructure, for example. Thus in operation, the lighting system 10 canilluminate an area by emitting light outward from the major surfaces 281of the lightguides 200, including light that reflects off the reflectors300. Light from light emitting diodes 222 adjacent a vertex of thelighting system 10 transmits into an edge 250 of the lightguides 200 andscatters, distributes, and/or reflects off the reflector 300, and emitsfrom the major surfaces 281 of the lightguides 200. More specifically,the coupled light from the light emitting diodes 222 propagates alongthe lightguides 200 guided by total internal reflections off the majorsurfaces 281, 282 of the lightguides 200. Portions of the light incidentto the major surfaces 281, 282 transmit through those surfaces 281, 282.Light transmitting through the major surface 281 is distributed to anarea to be lit, for example a room. Light transmitting through the majorsurface 282 is directed back through the lightguide 200 by the reflector300, for ultimate emission through the major surface 281 as beneficialillumination.

In certain example embodiments, each reflector 300 comprises a mirror orspecularly reflective surface. In certain embodiments, each reflector300 comprises a diffusely reflective surface such as a surface coatedwith flat white paint. In certain example embodiments, each reflector300 is treated with a power coating or a matte powder paint. In certainexample embodiments, each reflector 300 is faceted or comprises asurface relief pattern or other features that promote directionality oflight reflection. In certain example embodiments, the reflectors 300 arecurved or domed and are highly reflective. As will be discussed infurther detail below and depicted in other figures, an air gap betweeneach reflector 300 and its associated lightguide 200 reduces lighttransmission through the lightguide's major surface 282 and thusincreases light output from the lightguide's major surface 281.

In various embodiments, the lighting system 10 may vary in shape andsize. For example, although the lighting fixture 10 illustrated in FIG.1 has a footprint or outline that is approximately square, lightingfixtures of triangular, square, rectangular, polygonal, circular, orother appropriate shapes are within the scope and spirit of theembodiments described herein. The lighting system 10 may be formed fromvarious types of suitable materials. In some exemplary embodiments, theframe 100 is formed from a combination of plastic and metal, and thelightguides 200 are formed from a plastic, polymer, acrylic, glass, orother suitable material and may include reinforcements such as glass. Inthe example embodiment of FIG. 1, the endplates 12 can be made ofplastic via molding, and the wireway bracket 17 and reflector clampbracket 19 can comprise aluminum or other suitable metal or rigidmaterial. In some embodiments, one or both of the wireway bracket 17 andthe reflector clamp bracket 19 comprise aluminum extrusions. Thus, theframe 100 and its components can support/enclose the lightguides 200.

In the illustrated example embodiment, elements of the lighting system10 are arranged in a polyhedron. The lightguides 200 form two faces ofthe polyhedron, meeting in vertex at the apex of the lighting system 10.In the illustrated example embodiment, the two lightguides 200 convergein an obtuse angle. The endplates 12 form two additional faces of thepolyhedron. A fifth face of the polyhedron is provided by the aperture181 of the lighting system 10, which is the portion of the lightingsystem 10 that emits light into the area to be illuminated. Thus, theoutline or footprint of the lighting system can provide a fifthpolyhedron face opposite the vertex formed between the two lightguides200.

Referring now to FIG. 2, this figure illustrates additional internalfeatures of the lighting system 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 according tosome example embodiments. FIG. 2A provides an internal view of thelighting system 10, provided by removing one of the two endplates 12 ofthe lighting system 10 to expose representative internal features. FIG.2B illustrates an expanded view of the left-hand side of FIG. 2A withadditional elements removed to benefit the view. FIG. 2C illustrates aoverhead perspective view of the lighting system 10 that shows internalfeatures of the lighting system 10.

FIG. 2A depicts the reflector 300 raised above the lightguide 200 toprovide an air gap for enhancing reflection off the outwardly facingmajor surface 281 of the lightguide 200 as discussed above and asdescribed in further detail below. As best shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, theendplates 12 comprise reflector and waveguide restraints 232 forrestraining the reflectors 300 and the waveguides 200 in the frame 100.For each reflector 300, the restraints 232 are positioned along thereflector edges to urge the reflector edge against the adjoiningwaveguide edge. As shown in FIG. 3, the reflector edge, in turn, isurged against an adjoining shoulder 338 of the frame 100. In theillustrated example embodiment, each restraint 232 comprises a flap ofmaterial on the frame 100 that is angled inward, over the adjoiningedges of the reflector and waveguide 200. In the illustrate embodiment,the flap is an integral and seamless part of the frame 100. In otherembodiments, the flap may be fastened to the frame 100 using adhesive,screws, rivets, or another appropriate means. Accordingly, the waveguideedge is sandwiched between the shoulder 338 of the frame 100 and thereflector edge. As depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 and discussed below,portions of the reflector 300 that are away from the reflector edges areraised so that an air gap 333 is provided between a majority of thereflector's surface area and the lightguide 200.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the lighting system 10 further comprises a springsystem 231 for urging each lightguide 200 towards its associated lightemitting diodes 222. The spring system 231 promotes coupling of lightinto the waveguides 200 and relaxes tolerances to realize economical andfabrication benefits. Various example embodiments of the spring system231 as well as various embodiments of light sources and technology foraligning light emitting diodes to waveguide edges are disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/788,827 entitled “Edgelit LightingFixture and Assembly” that was filed on Mar. 7, 2013 in the name ofJames Blessitt, Russ Clements, and Ellis Patrick, the entire contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Embodiments of thelighting system 10 can comprise one or more of the various technologies,systems, and elements disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/788,827.

FIG. 2 further illustrates a wire management system 275 that isintegrated with the frame 100. The wire management system 275 routeselectrical lines 276 that supply electrical power for the light emittingdiodes 222. In the illustrated example embodiment, the electrical lines276 comprise individually insulated electrical conductors or wires. Thewire management system 275 maintains the electrical lines 276 in alinear array, as illustrated.

The illustrated wire management system 275 provides a channel thatextends along an upper edge of the endplate 12. Segments of the channelare located on the inward facing side of the endplate 12, which isvisible in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 6A, and 6D. Other segments of the channelare located on the outward facing side of the endplate 12, which isshown in FIG. 6C. More specifically, the inward facing side comprisesrecessed regions 234 in which the electrical lines 276 extend lengthwisenext to one another. Tabs 233 are located between the recessed regions,and the electrical lines 276 extend on the outward facing side of theendplate 12 at those tabs 233. Thus, the electrical lines 276 continue“behind” the tabs from perspective of FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C. Accordingly,the channel and the electrical lines 276 oscillate or weave betweensides of the endplate 12 and thus sides of the frame 100. Openings orslots are provided at the transitions between sides of the endlate 12 tofacilitate lacing the electrical lines 276 into the channel.

Referring now to FIG. 3, this figure illustrates another internal viewof the lighting system 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to someexample embodiments. In FIG. 3, the lighting system 10 is shown inperspective as cut between the two endplates 12. FIG. 3 depicts theshoulder 338 and the retainers 232 capturing the edges of the lightguide200 and the reflector 300. FIG. 3 further illustrates an exampleembodiment of the reflector 300 having a concave reflective surface thatprovides an air gap 333 for promoting internal reflection at the majorsurface 281 of the lightguide 200.

Referring now to FIG. 4, this figure illustrates another internal viewof the lighting system 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to someexample embodiments. The view of FIG. 4 is similar to that of FIG. 2B,but emphasizing example separation between the lightguide 200 and thereflector 300 of the lighting system 10. The separation enhancesillumination output in a desired direction as discussed above. Theseparation further helps avoid a spotty or wetted appearance that mayresult from intermittent, uncontrolled contact between the reflector 300and the lightguide 200. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the major surface 282of the lightguide 200 contacts the reflector 300 at a perimeter of thelightguide 200. In the illustrated example embodiment, contact islimited to the edges of the lightguide 200 to avoid or limit frustrationof total internal reflection at the major surface 282. The shoulder 338of the frame 100 (illustrated in FIG. 3) essentially limits contact toportions of the lightguide 200 that are hidden from the view of a personlocated in an area illuminated by the lighting system 10.

Referring now to FIG. 5, this figure illustrates a reflector 300 of thelighting system 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to some exampleembodiments. FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view. FIGS. 5B, 5C, and5D illustrate orthogonal views. The view of FIG. 5C is taken at sectionB-B as indicated on FIG. 5B, while the view of FIG. 5D is taken atsection A-A as indicated on FIG. 5B. FIG. 5E illustrates a detail viewtaken in the area of FIG. 5B denoted “C.” FIGS. 5F and 5G illustratecross sectional views taken in the detail view of FIG. 5D. FIG. 5F istaken at indicated section D-D, while FIG. 5G is taken at indicatedsection E-E.

In the illustrated embodiment, the reflector 300 comprises holes 550 forhanging the reflector 300 during fabrication, specifically while thereflector is powder coated. In some example embodiments, the reflector300 comprises a matte white material for diffuse reflectance. In someexample embodiments, the reflector 300 provides specular reflectance,such as via a mirrored metallic coating. In some example embodiments,the reflector 300 is embossed. In some embodiments, the reflector 300 isformed of embossed metal. In some embodiments, the reflector 300 isdish-shaped and formed from a thin sheet of metal. In some embodiments,the reflector has a matte powder that provides a rough surface thatavoids a wetted appearance. In some embodiments, the reflector 300reflects light using a combination of specular and diffuse reflection.As discussed above, the illustrated example reflector 300 is concave tolimit contact between the reflector 300 and the lightguide 200.

Referring now to FIG. 6, this figure illustrates an endplate of thelighting system 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to some exampleembodiments. FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view. FIGS. 6B, 6C, 6D,and 6E illustrate orthogonal views.

FIG. 6C illustrates a grounding circuit 666 that is integrated with theendplate 12 to provide grounding to metal components of the frame 100via physical contact that provides electrical connectivity. Thegrounding circuit 666 may be embedded in the endplate 12 by positioningone or more electrically conductive wires or electrical traces in acavity of a mold for the endplate 12 and then injecting molten plasticin the cavity. When the solidified plastic is removed from the mold, thegrounding circuit 666 is formed within the endplate 12.

FIG. 6F illustrates a detail view of the endplate 12 that is taken atthe area of FIG. 6B denoted “A” and that describes an example embodimentof the wire management system 275. The detail view of FIG. 6Fillustrates the tab 233 and the openings 651 for lacing the electricallines 276 into the channel of the wire management system 275.

FIG. 6G illustrates a cross sectional view taken in the detail view ofFIG. 6F at indicated section B-B. FIG. 6G further illustrates the wiremanagement system 275, depicting the channel 661 of the wire managementsystem 275 in cross section.

FIG. 7 illustrates packaging for the lighting system 10 illustrated inFIG. 1 according to some example embodiments. In the illustratedembodiment, the packaging system 700 comprises three packaging pieces705, 715 that are fitted within the lighting system 10 via the aperture181. Two of the packaging pieces 715 are wedge-shaped and are locatedbelow the two waveguides 200. A third packaging piece 705 isblock-shaped and is located under the reflector clamp bracket 19.

The packaging pieces 705, 715 may be formed of foam, cardboard, or otherappropriate material and collectively or individually coated withplastic film. In some embodiments, the three packaging pieces 705, 715are combined into one piece. Such a combination may be formed by aunitary molding of foam. Alternatively, the three packaging pieces 705,715 may be formed individually via molding or other appropriate processand then joined together using adhesive, for example.

In some example embodiments, the packaging system 700 comprises one ormore thermoformed plastic inserts with a molded handle. The thermoformedinsert(s) can be clear so that the lighting system may be operated andprovide illumination during construction, and the insert removed afterconstruction activities are completed.

In addition to protecting the lighting system 10 during shipment, thepackaging system 700 facilitates installation of the lighting system 10without installation personnel needing to touch the lightguides 200. Aninstaller can mount the lighting system 10 overhead while the packagingpieces 705, 715 remain in the aperture 181, thus avoiding risk ofmarring the lightguides 200.

Once the lighting system 10 is mounted, the installer can readily removethe packaging pieces 705, 715. In situations where constructionsactivities are ongoing at a site, the packaging pieces 705, 715 canremain in the aperture 181 after mounting. After construction tasks arecomplete, the packaging pieces 705, 715 may be removed from the aperture181. In this manner, the lighting system 10 remains clean and avoidsaccumulation of dust and debris associated with sawing and other typicalconstruction site activities.

Technology for lighting systems has been described. From thedescription, it will be appreciated that an embodiment of the presenttechnology overcomes the limitations of the prior art. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that the present technology is not limited toany specifically discussed application or implementation and that theembodiments described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Fromthe description of the exemplary embodiments, equivalents of theelements shown therein will suggest themselves to those skilled in theart, and ways of constructing other embodiments of the presenttechnology will appear to practitioners of the art. Therefore, the scopeof the present technology is to be limited only by the claims thatfollow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lighting system comprising: a frame adapted tobe recess mounted in a ceiling, the frame comprising a first endplatewith a first shoulder and a second endplate with a second shoulder; alightguide disposed on and extending between the first shoulder and thesecond shoulder, the lightguide comprising: a first major surface; asecond major surface extending parallel to the first major surface; andan edge formed between the first and second major surfaces; a lightsource disposed along the edge to couple light into the lightguidethrough the edge; a reflector that is positioned adjacent the firstmajor surface of the lightguide to reflect the light from the lightsource that exits the lightguide through the first major surface suchthat the light that is reflected reenters the lightguide through thefirst major surface, wherein an air gap separates a portion of thereflector from a portion of the first major surface of the lightguidewhile a remainder portion of the reflector adjoins the first majorsurface adjacent a perimeter of the first major surface of thelightguide, wherein the reflector is substantially concave such that theair gap is wider at a middle portion of first major surface thanadjacent the perimeter of the first major surface; a second lightguidedisposed on and extending between the first shoulder and the secondshoulder, the second lightguide comprising a second edge, a second lightsource disposed along the second edge to couple second light into thesecond lightguide through the second edge.
 2. The lighting system ofclaim 1, wherein the first shoulder and the second shoulder support thelightguide and the second lightguide such that the lightguide and thesecond lightguide meet in a vertex at an apex of the lighting system. 3.The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises an integralwiring channel and an integral grounding trace, and wherein the integralgrounding trace is formed and disposed within the first endplate of theframe.
 4. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein, in operation, thelight propagates in the lightguide guided by total internal reflectionbetween the first and second major surfaces, wherein, in operation, thesecond light propagates in the second lightguide guided by totalinternal reflection between a third major surface and a fourth majorsurface of the second lightguide.
 5. The lighting system of claim 2,wherein the lightguide and the second lightguide extend downwardrelative to the apex.
 6. The lighting system of claim 3, furthercomprising a plurality of electrical lines that are configured to supplyelectricity to the light source and the second light source, wherein theplurality of electrical lines are supported by the integral wiringchannel formed in the frame.
 7. The lighting system of claim 3, whereinthe integral wiring channel is formed on a top edge of the firstendplate.
 8. A lighting system comprising: a frame that defines anopening for emitting light towards an area to be illuminated andcomprising a first pair of shoulders and a second pair of shoulders; afirst lightguide disposed on the first pair of shoulders and comprisinga first edge formed between a first major surface and a second majorsurface; a first light source disposed along the first edge to couplelight into the first lightguide through the first edge; a secondlightguide disposed on the second pair of shoulders and comprising asecond edge formed between a third major surface and a fourth majorsurface; a second light source disposed along the second edge to couplelight into the second lightguide through the second edge; wherein thefirst pair of shoulders and the second pair of shoulders of the framesupport the first lightguide and the second lightguide, respectively,such that the first lightguide and the second lightguide meet in avertex at an apex of the lighting system; a clamp bracket that isdisposed at the apex of the frame and configured to dissipate a heatgenerated by the lighting system; and a packaging assembly that isdisposed in the lighting system such that a first segment of thepackaging assembly and a second segment of the packaging assembly arepositioned below the first lightguide and the second lightguide,respectively, while a third segment of the packaging assembly that ispositioned between the first segment and the second segment is disposedbelow the clamp bracket, wherein the packaging assembly is configured toprotect the lighting system during shipment and installation, andwherein the packaging assembly is configured to be removed through theopening once the lighting system is installed.
 9. The lighting system ofclaim 8, wherein the packaging assembly is formed using foam and iscoated with a plastic film.
 10. The lighting system of claim 8, whereinthe packaging assembly comprises clear thermoformed plastic inserts witha molded handle.
 11. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein the firstsegment and the second segment of the packaging assembly are wedgeshaped, while the third segment of the packaging assembly is blockshaped.
 12. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the frame furthercomprises a reflector clamp bracket securing the reflector and extendingfrom the first endplate to the second endplate.